I would like you to look into plastics that are made with green algae.
1. Do you think this is a viable option for making plastics? why or why not?
2. How is algae turned into plastic?
3. Is this a cost effective option to petroleum basd plastics? why or why not?
4. What other options are there for creating a more environmentaly friendly plastic?
Do you think this is a viable option for making plastics? Why or why not? Yes I think that this is an option that is capable of working because algae is very good for the earth and if it would be used as a plastic it would reduce the amount of the unhealthy plastics in the world.
ReplyDeleteHow is algae turned into plastic? The algae is turned into plastic by organic ingredients and polypropylene or another traditional resin is mixed with between 35 and 50 percent algae powder using a proprietary process.
Is this a cost effective option to petroleum basd plastics? why or why not? Researchers say that even in small batches the algae is already less expensive. So yes the algae is a great deal of a more effective cost option that the petroleum based plastics!
What other options are there for creating a more environmentaly friendly plastic? Another option for creating more eco-friendly plastics are using biodegradable plastics that are also good for the Earth, and "double-dip" by helping the economy too!
1. Do you think this is a viable option for making plastics? why or why not?
ReplyDeleteAs of now, I do not think this is a viable option. Scientists have found ways to make a plastic out of algae that feels exactly like regular plastic, but with more heat tolerance. Sadly, this plastic has a dark green color and scientists have not found a way to remove this color so that it can be dyed.
2. How is algae turned into plastic?
Right now algae is turned into plastic by mixing the organic ingredients with traditional resins and 50 percent algae. This is just the prototype, scientists would like to be able to create a 100 percent biodegradable algae based plastic.
3. Is this a cost effective option to petroleum based plastics? why or why not?
As of now, this is not a cost effective option. I am sure as the technology improves and oil prices go up even more, the cost of algae plastic will go down.
4. What other options are there for creating a more environmentally friendly plastic?
Another option to algae plastic or petroleum plastic is plastic made of corn. The drawback with this is that if corn based plastic were to go mainstream it would drive the price of corn up, and there would be less to use for food products.
1. I think that green algae is a viable option as long as it is made the right way, whatever the process is. If the plastic isn't created correctly it may be weaker or stronger than it should be.
ReplyDelete2. Frederic Scheer got dry biomass, cereplast dries the biomass even further until it becomes a powder. For this stage of development, they're making a hybrid prototype. Organic ingredients and polypropylene or another traditional resin is mixed with between 35 and 50 percent algae powder using a proprietary process.
3. The cost per pound of algae plastic is expected to beat out traditional plastics.
4. Some researchers are trying to develop biodegradable and bioavailable plastics in an effort to reduce the tons of plastic waste that ends up in the nation’s landfills each year.
1. Do you think this is a viable option for making plastics? why or why not?
ReplyDeleteI do think that someday we will be able to use green algae for making plastics, but for right now I do not think that it is a good source of plastics. What are we supposed to do it the plastic is used for bottles, where we put our clean water, and the algae gets into the water. The water is now not able to be drank without some risk of getting a virus or a disease.
2. How is algae turned into plastic?
Algae was turned into a plastic by creating a polymer by combining algae and other chemicals and compounds. Such a breakthrough, combined with enough cast-aside plant matter to sustain it, and possibly some of the plant's oil, would provide for a plastic completely free of fossil fuels.
3. Is this a cost effective option to petroleum basd plastics? why or why not?
Yes it is a cost effective because since there is now no need for fossil fuels, and it is just made from algae made monomers, there is a near unlimited amount out algae to make our plastics. So yes, it is cost effective.
4. What other options are there for creating a more environmentaly friendly plastic?
By combining and modifying a variety of bio-based, oil-based and natural polymers, the team seeks to create optimal blends that can be used to make biodegradable plastics
1) I think that this is a viable option for making plastics because algae is always in supply and we don't have to use any chemicals that may harm the environment to create the plastic.
ReplyDelete2)In order to make the algae plastic, you must create a monomer and combine it with enough plant based material to sustain that monomer.
3) It is cost effective because the main company that will be creating the plastic will get the algae from companies that use the algae to keep the industrial smokestacks cleaner.
4) The specific company Cereplast has already made plastic from wheat, corn, and tapioca.
1. Yes, I think this is a viable option. Scientists have already created prototypes and started to manufacture certain plastic products made with green algae.
ReplyDelete2. First off, you grow the algae, either in an open pond, or companies are testing new ways to grow the algae. CEO Frederic Scheer and his colleagues turned to algae, which he says "is close enough to the starches the company already turns into plastics"
3. I believe this is a cost effective option to petroleum based plastics with both pros and cons. The pros being that it is natural, and environmentally friendly, while the cons are that it will not be biodegradable and algae does not come in large quantities (meaning they will have to over produce it).
4. Other options for creating a more environmentally friendly plastic include corn, potatoes, tapioca, and wheat.
1. I think the algae is a good option for making plastics because it is 100% green. It may not hold up or take wear as well as traditional plastics, so the cons may outweigh the pros.
ReplyDelete2. After the oil is gone from the algae, you are left with a dry biomass. The biomass is then dried further. Next, it is turned into a powder and mixed with a traditional resin.
3. It is more cost effective than the other types of plastics, because even in small batches the algae beats the others in price.
4. There are other options to creating an environmentally friendly plastic, such as biodegradable plastics. People are also looking at things like corn plastic.
1. Yes, green algae could be the potential option for greener plastic. Algae would be a very good option in replacing plastic because it is naturally found in the Earth and it is good for the Earth.
ReplyDelete2. The biomass is mixed with Cereplast, and the Cereplast dries that biomass until it becomes a powder, then organic ingredients and polypropylene or another traditional resin is mixed with the algae making a 30%-50% algae based plastic
3. Green algae plastic would be cost effective comparing to petroleum based plastics. Some researchers state that the cost of algae per pound is already less expensive then traditional plastics that we use today.
4. Another option for creating more earth friendly plastics are to use materials that are biodegradable and use those to make plastics, this would help the earth because it would be easier to degrade, or it could natural degrade by itself.
1. Yes, even though we'd be sacrificing a few ponds to do it, we would be ridding carbon dioxide from the air and we would be using a greener source of energy.
ReplyDelete2. To turn algae into plastic, it must first be extracted. The dry biomass is then further dried using Cereplast. This will make it a powder. Organic materials and polypropylene are mixed with less than half of the algae powder. This is done using a proprietary process.
3. Algae can be easily grown, so achieving the main materials is not an issue. Making the plastic uses less money than making petroleum based products, too. So overall, it is cheaper to go with algae plastics, even though algae is gross...
4. Other "green options" are corn, sugar or mud based products.
Yes i think this is a viable option because it would be just like regular plastic but would be more cost efficient and it doesn't affect the food crops like other plastic material does. Algae is turned into plastic by specific organic ingredients and another traditional resin called polypropylene. This is then mixed with about 40 percent algae powder using a proprietary process. I believe it is a cost effective option to petroleum based plastics. Many researchers say that even in small batches algae is far less expensive. Other options that are there for creating environmentally friendly plastic are, creating biodegradable plastics and other "green plastics or green options like corn, sugar or mud based products.
ReplyDelete1. Do you think this is a viable option for making plastics? why or why not?
ReplyDelete~ I think plastic made with algae is a viable option because it is good for the environment, it can do the same thing as regular plastic, and all plastics in the future can be green plastic. The algae acts as a biopolymer on the opposite end of the manufacturing pipeline; instead of reducing pollution from the, it’s helping make less-polluting plastic.
2. How is algae turned into plastic?
~ Organic ingredients and polypropylene are mixed with algae powder using the proprietary process.
3. Is this a cost effective option to petroleum based plastics? why or why not?
~ Algae plastic is not a cost effective option yet, but this is probably because not many knows about it yet. Once it becomes more popular and improved, I'm sure the cost will decrease.
4. What other options are there for creating a more environmentaly friendly plastic?
~ There are tons of environmentally friendly plastics. One company makes plastics out of corn, potatoes, tapioca, and wheat.
I do think that this is a viable option for making plastics because green algae can be grown easily can be decomposed. Algae can be turned into plastic when it is dried out and the oil is extracted. It is then dried out more until it is a powder. Next, it is combined with organic materials and polypropylene. This solution could be cost effective as opposed to petroleum based plastics because companies would not have to pay for the petroleum from other companies, but could grow the green algae instead which could save a lot of money. The algae plastic would probably sell for less than the petroleum based plastic because they would eliminate the cost of petroleum and the world could be using environmentally friendly plastics. Other possible environmentally friendly plastic materials could be starches such as polylactic acid or corn starch.
ReplyDeleteI think that green algae could be a good use for plastic because its natural and biodegradable. It won't affect the environment when it is thrown away because it would be able to decompose. It could also help with food loss from making plastics out of corn and other types of food. Algae is turned into plastic by taking all the oil out from the algae. Then dry the algae even further, until it is a powder. Mixed organic ingredients and polypropylene with 35 and 50 percent algae powder. The only problem with making plastic out of algae is the strong fishy smell it lets out, but Frederic Scheer, the CEO of the company that is making algae plastics, is trying to figure out a way to get rid of the stench. It is estimated that the cost per pound for green algae plastic will be cheaper than what the cost per pound is for regular plastic. It is less expensive because it has a simpler concept for making the plastic and because there is so much green algae so we can make more of the plastic. Other options can consist of trying to see if there is another biodegradable material that can be made into a plastic. As long as it can decompose it is friendly to the environment because it wont get caught up by animals or prevent plants from growing because it will decompose.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is a viable option if the algae used doesn't produce neurotoxins. Since the plastic would be made of natural and synthetic materials it would not completely biodegrade but they would sufficiently help to reduce consumption of limited resources.
ReplyDeleteGreen plastic is made from algae (which contains polypropylene), organic ingredients/other resin is combined with 35 to 50 percent algae powder using a proprietary process.
Most researchers have not figured out how to turn algae into diesel for less than about $20 a gallon. Turning it into plastic would cost less than that and it costs less than petroleum based plastics so yes, it should be more cost effective.
Corn, potato, wheat, tapioca, sugar or mud are other options for green plastic. Overall a biodegradable substances.
I believe that algae, a natural, biodegradable plant organism that actually lacks most plant parts is a great source for making plastics because they would allow all plastics using algae to be more recyclable, as well as being a natural source.
ReplyDeleteIt is turned into plastic by extracting oil from the algae until it becomes dry, and then it is dried further, which causes it to become a powder. Then, certain organic ingredients and plastic are mixed with algae to produce the final product, a greener, cleaner, almost 50% algae plastic.
I believe this is a cost effective option because algae is extremely common to find and multiply, and it can already be made into plastic with less of it needed, causing the price of not only this new form of plastic to go down, but it takes the price of regular plastic down with it due to demand.
The other option for a green plastic would be corn, but with that, corn prices would skyrocket upwards and there would be a large shortage of edible corn products for the market and the people of the world.
1. Utilizing natural resources as an organic compost for a non-biodegradable material is a wise choice because it exhibits how any type of matter can be reformed for help the environment. This version of the product will be completely compostable in the next three to five years, this reducing the stress we as human beings put on the O-zone layer.
ReplyDeleteThe founder and CEO of the AlgaePlastic Company, Frederic Scheer, has made sure that his manufactured article is produced in such a way that it can be recycled effectively on a daily basis.
2. The answer and key component for converting the simple organism or algae into plastic is glucose. This sugar is the main carbohydrate product of photosynthesis, a primary source of the majority of living beings, and the human's main source of fuel. It is also one of the leading candidates in the search to elect a new, environmentally friendly plastic component. "Because glucose can be derived directly from cellulose and starch, it is nature's most abundant carbohydrate building block," Chemist Conrad Zhang from PNNL says. "HMF from renewable carbohydrates, such as fructose and glucose, is a versatile platform chemical from which hundreds of other chemicals can be produced." Zhang and his colleagues tested metal chlorides (chromium, copper and other metals paired with two or more chlorine atoms) to metamorphose 70 percent of glucose and nearly 90 percent of fructose into HMF (5-hydroxymethylfurfuran). They report on their findings that, "chromium chloride (CrCl2) worked best, apparently by boosting a sugar molecule's ability to open up and shift atoms in its structure as it changed form, although the exact mechanism remains unknown."
3. AlgaePlastic has received feedback testimonies from researchers, who have directly specified that this form of plastic, even in small quantities, are a better solution than petroleum-based plastics. This is due to their organic, plentiful quantity.
4. Alternatives to petroleum-based and algae-based plastics include:a combination of bio-based, oil-based and natural polymers, as well as biopolymers.
Yes I think this is a viable option for making plastics because for one there is a lot of green algae, and you can also grow it yourself quite quickly. It's completely biodegradable so it is able to decompose unlike traditional plastics, who also fill up landfills, deplete our limited fossil fuels, uses a lot of energy, and emits greenhouse gases. One bad thing is that it has a strong fishy smell, but, the company making green algae plastic, is working on that being gone very soon.
ReplyDeleteThe process to make plastic algae starts with using the leftover algae after it extracted as a fuel source. Then it is dried even more until only a powder is left. Organic ingredients and polypropylene or another traditional resin is mixed with 35 and 50% percent algae powder to create the plastic. There is another version that's 100% algae that is aimed to come out in three to five years.
Yes is it a cost effective option to petroleum based plastics because the cost per pound of algae plastic is expected to be less that what we use today.
One other options that are there for creating a more environmentally friendly plastic incorporates polylactic acid, which will break down under particular conditions into harmless components. It is made of corn starch, which is fermented into lactic acid. This is then converted into lactide, and those molecules are linked together to form a polymer chain of polylactic acid.
1.) This sounds good. The best part about it is the fact that it is entirely decomposable. I think if plastic companies switch to this type of plastic when it is ready in the next 3-5 years.
ReplyDelete2.) Companies other than Cereplast are working on algae as a potential fuel source. When the algae is dried and the oil is extracted, a biomass is left over. This biomass is dried further by Cereplast and into powder, and is mixed in with traditional resins and organic ingredients, creating the algae plastic.
3.) This is a cost effective option to petroleum basd plastics because they have decided to artificially-grow high-yield algae crops and this will surely help them beat the prices of the traditional plastics which are used.
4.) The Missouri S&T research team is constructing new biodegradable plastics to reduce the tons of plastic waste that ends up in the nation’s landfills each year. By combining and modifying a variety of bio-based, oil-based and natural polymers, the team seeks to create optimal blends that can be used to make agricultural films, bottles, biomedical and drug delivery devices, and more.
1. I think this is a viable option for making plastics, because it is fairly strong, and can tolerate high temperatures. It is entirely compostable as well. Unlike other bioplastics, algae won't affect food crops.
ReplyDelete2. Algae is turned into plastic by finding and cultivating a strain of algae, harvesting and drying it, and then extracting the oils from the plant.
3. As the price for oils rises, so does the cost of making petroleum based plastics. The cost of oils are continuing to rise, so only when the price drops will the making of petroleum based plastics be cost effective.
4. Some things that could be used to make environmentally friendly plastics are glass, metals, wood, paper, cardboard, and fabrics.
1. Do you think this is a viable option for making plastics? why or why not?
ReplyDeleteYes, because it is a natural resource that is abundant on the Earth. The algae is predicted that it will make up 50% of the plastic. It is very green because of the fact that it is found in nature. Scientists say that it is best to grow the algae in open ponds. All of the man made lakes could be breeding grounds for the algae, so we would have an abundant (man-made) source. The only disadvantage would be that we are not able to produce enough to satisfy the use of plastics. Americans alone use over 38 billion plastic bags. The algae is surely not enough to cover 50% of all these bags. We could deplete the natural algae that organisms are dependent on for food or houses. Using algae would also not affect the food crops, because corn will.
2. How is algae turned into plastic? Cereplast is the major bioplastics company that is looking for solutions. They dehydrate algae who’s natural oils have been extracted for fuel, which is very similar to the traditional polymers found in the normal plastic bags. The algae will be turned into an organic material.
3. Is this a cost effective option to petroleum based plastics? why or why not?
In just the United States, 12,000,000 barrels of petroleum are needed to create a 100 billion plastic bags. This is over 500,000,000 dollars a year, that could be put towards green energy. The petroleum in 14 plastic bags is enough to fuel an average car for 1 mile. I think that algae is a much better option because it can decompose, and it is natural. We have a sufficient source of algae, and it can be grown.
4. What other options are there for creating a more environmentaly friendly plastic?
Some clean options would be corn, sugar, and mud. But with the food (corn and sugar), the food consumption will go down because we would need it for plastic. The prices would go up.
1. I do believe this is a viable option for plastics as algae is a natural and renewable resource and does not pose risk to the earth.
ReplyDelete2. Organic ingredients along with polypropylene are mixed into algae powder to form 'green' plastics.
3. The algae plastic is noticeably less expensive even in smaller batches. Meaning that this is a very cost effective in comparison to petroleum based products.
4. Another possible option is focusing on reusing recycled plastics that can to be recycled. Thus, reducing the need for new plastics to be made.
I think that the production of green algae plastic could be viable, but it may not be the best alternative. For one thing, there are some hardships involved with growing and processing the algae cost-effectively. Although, it seems that the algae would be a lot more friendly to the environment, one article I read states that Frederic Sheer said that Cereplast is still determining how the algae-plastic will be recycled.
ReplyDeleteFirst, a certain strain of the algae, among thousands of others, must be cultivated, harvested, and dried. Then the oil has to be removed from the algae in a cost-effective matter. Next, Cereplast dries the algae further, and you are left with a powder that is mixed with polypropylene and other organic compounds.
Currently, it is a rather long and complicated process to dry out the algae. Presently, it is not very cheap, but as time goes on there may be easier ways to produce the algae.
There are not many other feasible options to plastic as of now.
1. Do you think this is a viable option for making plastics? why or why not?
ReplyDelete1a. It is a worthwhile option for making plastics. This algae plastic has the same toughness and durability as regular plastic, except for the fact that algae plastic is green and biodegradable.
2. How is algae turned into plastic?
2a. A specific strain of algae must be cultivated, harvested and dried. The oil has to be removed from the algae in a pro-economic matter. After this, you dry the algae further and you are left with a powder that is mixed with polypropylene and other compounds.
3. Is this a cost effective option to petroleum basd plastics? why or why not?
3a. At this present time, the process of turning algae into plastic isn't economically friendly, but their are hopes for making the process cheaper.
4. What other options are there for creating a more environmentaly friendly plastic?
4a. There are not any other viable options as of right now.
1. I do think it is a viable option. It is already starting to be used by scientists to make plastics. Also, algae is a natural substance that does not pose a threat to the earth.
ReplyDelete2.Organic ingredients and polypropylene form plastics when mixed with algae powder.
3.Algae plastic is extremely less expensive when compared to petroleum based plastics.
4.We can reduce the need for new plastics to be made by focusing on reusing recycled plastics to be recycled.
1. Yes. Algae is a plentiful and natural substance, and can even be grown in as little as two months in a man-monitored environment. Because algae is not a regular crop, its use in plastics would not affect the food industry (as the use of, say, corn would).
ReplyDelete2. Algae is turned into plastic after it is dehydrated into a powder and then mixed with a normal type of resin. The mixture is 35-50% algae.
3. Algae IS a cost-effective alternative to petroleum-based products. The cost of algae per pound is predicted to be better than that of more traditional plastic products.
4. Corn and starches have also been used to create plastics, though these cannot be used on a large scale because they are also products that people harvest for food.
1. Do you think this is a viable option for making plastics? why or why not?
ReplyDeleteIt seems to work. If plastics are already produced from natural substances, why shouldn't one more work?
2. How is algae turned into plastic?
The algae is dried and oil is removed. It is then dried to a powder. Then it is mixed with resins to create plastic.
3. Is this a cost effective option to petroleum based plastics? Why or why not?
Yes, as algae can grow in any water, so long as it is not treated.
4. What other options are there for creating a more environmentally friendly plastic?
Researchers at the University of Missouri are creating biodegradable plastics that can even be absorbed into the ground and used as nutrients.
1. Do you think this is a viable option for making plastics? Why or why not?
ReplyDeleteDefinitely! There's lots of it, and the prototypes so far have been very successful. Plus, algae also has a potential as a fuel source, and it wouldn't hurt crops of food the way other bioplastics would.
2. How is algae turned into plastic?
First, the oil is extracted (and potentially used as fuel!) and the dry biomass leftover is taken and dried to the point of becoming a powder. The powder is then mixed with resin (usually polypropylene) and other organic ingredients.
3. Is this a cost effective option to petroleum based plastics? Why or why not?
Yes. Petroleum-based plastics, along with not being environmentally friendly, are expensive because of the petroleum itself.
4. What other options are there for creating a more environmentally friendly plastic?
Any plant-based plastic would be very environmentally friendly, but then plants would start to become endangered.
1.Yes, it is possible that plastic could be made out of algae. I still don't think it would be marketable, because growing the algae can be somewhat problematic, and it's still a rather yucky green color. (Consumers like shiny/colorful things) Also, there's already types of eco-friendly plastics out, so there wouldn't exactly be a monopoly and investors would take their money elsewhere.
ReplyDelete2.First you change the algae into a powder by removing the oils, and then you add chemicals like polypropylene and other types of resin.
3. Yes, it's less expensive because algae is fairly common and no one's found a way to charge for sunlight yet. (They'll find a way.) It takes a while but is also fairly low-matainince. However, recycled plastics are pretty cheap to make, too, because no one charges for trash, either, and recycled plastics might be considered the same, or almost the same, as these algae-plastics.
4. As mentioned earlier, recycling, but there are also many other types of eco-friendly plastics operating on the same principle but with a different plant.
1) Green Algae is definitely an option in my opinion. First off, there is a lot of green algae out there! It's a renewable resource as well, it's something that doesn't run out unless there is an extinction which is unlikely.
ReplyDelete2) The algae is crushed into powder and then mixed with other organic materials to make a plastic that has less petroleum in it.
3)Cost effective? The article I read about this said it would be ready to be available in 2010 and now it is 2011. Maybe they aren't cost effective, they cost way too much to make. It is either that or the fact that it still may be under development.
4) Other options? The company that make this algae bioplastic (cereplast) have already released other products with plant based plastics in them. The plants in the products include corn, potatoes, tapioca, and wheat. They are all renewable resources. Corn is the most recognized bioplastic yet.
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ReplyDelete1) I do think it is a viable option for making green algae plastic. It is one because it is a renewable resource, and not harmful to the environment. It is also entirely compostable. The price would also be less than regular plastics.
ReplyDelete2) It is made by getting the algae. Then oil is removed from the algae and then extracting the dry algae. Then, drying it even more until it becomes a powder. Organic ingredients and polypropylene is then mixed in with 35-50% algae powder.
3) It is a cost-effective option because the algae is a renewable resource. Also, the price of the algae plastic will be less than the price of traditional petroleum-based plastic.
4) Another option for creating environmentally friendly plastics is Arboform. This is created from a wood pulp-based lignin. When it is mixed with other natural ingredients like hemp it becomes a "green" alternate to petroleum plastics.
1: Yes. I believe that it is an option for plastics. First of all, the algae can't hurt the Earth, since it is made from nature. The plastic may turn out to be green, but it biodegrades easier than petroleum plastics. It helps the Earth much more than the plastics today.
ReplyDelete2: First, the algae is grounded up until it is a very fine powder. Organic substances are then added to the mixture, until only about half of it left is algae. This becomes a plastic.
3: Yes. Even small batches of the algae products are cheaper than traditional plastics. Although creating the fine powder needed can be a bit tricky.
4: There was a plastic created, made up of corn, potatoes, and wheat. What these foods have in common are starch. Starch is a polymer, and most polymers can become plastics. This may be true of starch.
1. Do you think this is a viable option for making plastics? why or why not?
ReplyDeleteYes, because Cereplast seems confident in the process and it's biodegradable. The plastic is just as strong as others and is quite heat-resistant.
2. How is algae turned into plastic?
Algae is turned into plastic by first taking the "biomass" that is left over after the oil is extracted from algae, because it is known to be a fuel source. Then the algae is dried further into a powder, and mixed with resins and organic ingredients to become a plastic.
3. Is this a cost effective option to petroleum basd plastics? why or why not?
The plastic is thought to end up costing less per pound than regular plastics, because a large amount of algae can be grown quickly, in about 2 months.
4. What other options are there for creating a more environmentaly friendly plastic?
According to an article from Science Daily, a team of scientists from the Missouri University of Science and Technology is working to create environmentally friendly plastics "by combining and modifying a variety of bio-based, oil-based and natural polymers." They are creating blends of these polymers to create new kinds of plastics
I think that it may be viable but i don't think that we should use that as our alternative. They are still working on how the algae plastic is going to be recycled. It isnt that environment-friendly. It has to be cultivated and dried and harvested. The oil then has to be removed in a cheap way. It is a long process and it takes a long time to dry it out. It is also kind of expensive but there can be other alternatives. There isn't any other feasible plastics.
ReplyDelete1. Do you think this is a viable option for making plastics? why or why not?
ReplyDeleteI certainly think it is viable, especially in high heat areas. The algae toughens the plastic's resistance to heat, due to the algae's natural success in heat. However, it does cost more per pound, according to MSNBC.
2. How is algae turned into plastic?
First, leftover biomass that is not used to create algae oil is dried. This forms an algae powder. The algae powder is mixed with a normal polymer or resin creates the new composite polymer.
3. Is this a cost effective option to petroleum based plastics? why or why not?
Yes, it is. Petroleum is much cheaper to process than all of the other types of plastics, and that is why we see so much of it in tupperware and other kitchen items. Also, it takes up all six of the basic plastic recyclable symbols, so it certainly has a large share of the polymer market.
4. What other options are there for creating a more environmentaly friendly plastic?
PLA and PHA are both biodegradable plastics. They cost 20% and 100% more than petroleum-based plastics, respectively. Also, potato and soybean based starches have began to make their way into scientific circles. Ethanol is also being explored to create a more eco-friendly plastic.
1. I believe this is a viable option for making plastics because algae is a natural, recyclable resource. The process being used does not compete with algae fuel production. Artificially grown high- yield algae crops can be produced in only three months
ReplyDelete2. First, all the fuel is extracted and the biomass left over is dried into a powder. Then, organic ingredients and polypropylene or resin is mixed.
3. I believe that this is a more cost effective method because not only does plastic algae production compliment algae fuel production, plastic algae offers hope to lessen our nation's reliance on foreign oil.
4. Some other options are recycling and using biodegradable plastics.
1. Do you think this is a viable option for making plastics? why or why not?
ReplyDeleteI think plastic made with algae is viable, but not the best alternative to the current strand. This is because, although it does the same thing as regular plastic for lower production costs, it is time and money consuming to grow these in what is probably going to be an open pond.
2. How is algae turned into plastic?
First the algae has all the oil extracted. Then, it is dried even more until it becomes a powder. Organic ingredients and polypropylene or another traditional resin is mixed with between 35 and 50 percent algae powder to make this into a functioning plastic.
3. Is this a cost effective option to petroleum based plastics? why or why not?
Algae plastic is a cost effective option in that production costs are low, but it also costs money and lots of time to grow and dry out the algae.
4. What other options are there for creating a more environmentaly friendly plastic?
Environmentally friendly plastics include those made of corn, potatoes, tapioca, wheat, starch, wood, glass, sugars and even mud.
From what I have heard about this method, it seems like an ideal way of making plastics. It can make products similar to traditional plastic based products. Especially if the fishy-smell can be removed. Green algae is a cost-efficient way of making plastics out of plant based materials. A specific strand of algae is extracted and harvested. Then, it is dried and has all of its oils removed. The removal of the oil is the most problematic part of the process due to the cost. If this technology is further developed, it can reduce up to 50 percent of petroleum content found in usual plastics. Although, it does seem there are many different materials plastics can be made from. These include; corn, potatoes, etc.
ReplyDelete1. Do you think this is a viable option for making plastics? Why or why not?
ReplyDeleteI think that this is a viable option for making plastics because algae absorbs more CO2 than it lets out. But there are catches, such as the fact algae works best when it is grown in an open pond. Also Cereplast is still determining how they will recycle the algae. This method of making plastic may not be very cost efficient either.
2. How is algae turned into plastic?
It first needs to be harvest, one strand at a time, being cultivated, harvested, and dried. Next all the oil needs to be removed, followed by Cereplast drying the algae farther. This results in a powder that is made up of various organic compounds.
3. Is this a cost effective option to petroleum based plastics? why or why not?
Every year America uses more than 500,000,000 dollars on petroleum, money that could be going to better causes. Algae is probably a better option because it is not only decomposable, it can be grow in large quantities and there is no shortage in it, unlike petroleum.
4. What other options are there for creating a more environmentally friendly plastic?
There are such things as decomposable plastics such as sun chip bags, making them environmentally friendly. If we used that type of plastic more than we wouldn't have so much plastic taking up space in landfills.
1. Do you think this is a viable option for making plastics? why or why not?
ReplyDeleteI think it is a viable option for making plastics due to its moderate strength, high tolerance of heat, abundance on earth and it being natural and a renewable resource. It would also be much friendlier to the environment, being completely compostable. The only downside to using algae for plastics is the fact that there will be no way to create enough to satisfy the amount of plastic the world uses. Although I guess some eco-friendly plastic is better than no eco-friendly plastic at all.
2. How is algae turned into plastic?
First off, a large group of algae must be cultivated, harvested and then dehydrated and dried. After that, all of the oil needs to be removed. Lastly the algae is further dried by
Cereplast, and is turned into a powder. The powder is then mixed with organic ingredients such as and also including polypropylene, and it turned into a eco-friendly plastic.
3. Is this a cost effective option to petroleum based plastics? why or why not?
With the price of oil rising, and the absolutely huge amount of petroleum being used costs over 500 million dollars a year, just for plastic bags. So the answer is, until oil prices dive, this is definitely not a cost affective way to create plastics, especially when that 500 million could have been spent on helping the environment instead of creating plastics to pollute the planet. Algae plastics (if can be created and used in a large enough amount) would be a much better way to create plastics, based on their compostability.
4. What other options are there for creating a more environmentaly friendly plastic?
Some things that could be used instead of plastics are metal, glass, wood, cardboard, fabrics, etc. But in some cases, plastic can not be substituted by these. So plastics just need to recycled much more often
1. Yes, the process can create the plastic, and algae is a relatively common substance. It is feasible to make plastic out of it.
ReplyDelete2. Oil is extracted from the algae to begin the drying process. Then scientists dry the algae further, until it turns into a powder. The algae powder is then blended with other traditional resins to create the plastic.
3. Yes, because there is so much algae currently available to harness, and because it is easily grown, costs would be relatively low.
4. Other plastics such as corn and starch plastics have also been produced. However, algae plastic would be more economical than either of these, because it is not used as a food source like corn and starch.
1.) Yes because it is a monomer that is heat-resitant and durable.
ReplyDelete2.) Oil is extracted in order to dry the algae. The algae is dried further and turned to a powder that is blended with traditional resins to make the plastic.
3.) As of now, no. But what is cost-efficient in its early prototype stages? They are aiming to create algae farms in order to make it more cost-effcient.
4.) Recycling. Duh. But scientist are also looking into corn and starch plastics. But algae (because it is more economically efficient) is looking like the star as of now.
1: I think that it is a very viable way to make more environmentally friendly plastic, it would be a good way to free our dependency from foreign oil within time.
ReplyDelete2:algae plastic is made by extracting the oil from the algae, drying it into a powder, and then mixing it with some sort of traditional resin to turn it into a plastic.
3: I do not think that this a very cost effective way to make bio-plastic at the stage its at right now, there is only so much algae on the planet, and when everyone is trying to turn it into plastic and oil there are going to be shortages. not to mention the fact that we already know how much crude oil and petroleum there is on the planet.
4: Other options for producing environmentally friendly plastic include corn, starchy produce, plants, renewable resources